Opinion
Column

Sir Frederick Banting statue outside the Banting House National Historic Site in London, where the doctor came up with the idea for treating diabetes. In a new exhibition titled Dear Dr. Banting, letters from people throughout the world extend their appreciation for Banting’s discovery of insulin. Some letters are very moving, others inject a sense of humour. (Banting House National Historic Site)

Related Stories

How do you write a thank-you note to someone for saving your life, or the life of your child, brother, sister, mother or father?

A new exhibition titled Dear Dr. Banting, offers a fascinating glimpse into how many people from around the world did exactly that.

Reading them, you can’t help but feel the emotion packed into these notes of thanks to the former Londoner who became a Nobel laureate for an inspiration that occurred to him here 90 years ago.

Mounted in the Lawson Room in the Banting House National Historic Site at Adelaide St. and Queens Ave. in London, are letters and notes from around the world, written in a variety of languages, in the wide looping figures of children’s script, to the tiny, precise scratching of someone with years of experience in choosing the exact word to express. Most of the letters in the exhibit date from just after the discovery of insulin up to 1934.

Many writers witnessed the dramatic impact of this discovery, and the way it arrested what seemed certain death, with a return to better health.

One letter accompanied by a picture of a young boy was from Teddy Ryder in 1923. He wrote to Banting, “I wish you could come to see me. I am a fat boy now and I feel fine. I can climb a tree.”

John Comyn in Orpington, Kent, England, was told he was the first person in England to be treated with insulin. He had suffered from diabetes for three years, and in fact, was told he had a week to live, when he was offered a fortnight’s worth of the experimental treatment. He wrote his thank-you letter six years later, in 1929. He noted he didn’t want to appear ungrateful, but injections three times a day “is very wearying and depressing at times”, and urged Dr. Frederick Banting to develop insulin that could be taken orally.

Another Dear Dr. Banting letter, from Greta Rudberg in Sweden in 1925, wanted to “allow a Swedish mother to express her feelings of deep gratitude” for his discovery of insulin treatment, which was made available for her little son. “Not only is his life thereby saved, but he is as well, happy and full of life as any sound child.”

Not all letters were equally grateful. One letter from F. M. Richardson in an American prison wanted to know why Banting had “failed to reply to my letter” of three weeks ago, asking for details on the discovery and the costs associated with the treatment, so that he could pass the information along to the prison physician.

To this day, messages are still being left for Dear Dr. Banting. People touring through the Banting House museum are encouraged to jot down a note reflecting on what they’ve seen and experienced.

Someone named Emile left this note in May 2010. “Dear Dr. Banting. Thank you for saving my mom’s life. I am 8 years old today.”

In March 2009, a woman named Caelan left this note: “I have a son all thanks to you! There is no greater gift in the world than our children and because of you I am able to keep my gift. Words cannot say the thanks I want to give for every mother with a child with Type 1” (diabetes).

Emily left a message that was direct and to the point. “Dear Dr. Banting. Thank you! I have Type 1 diabetes, and I am so glad that I didn’t have to starve and die! You are my hero!”

Another card noted “Banting’s life was inspiring, especially his dedication to science. Without his discovery, I wouldn’t be married to a diabetic, weirdo husband. Thanks Science!”

And this one: “Dear Fred: Just celebrated my 51st birthday — that’s 33 years after my first shot of insulin. Thanks for saving my life. Now where’s the next Fred Banting who can finally cure this disease once and for all? Don.”

If you haven’t made a visit to London’s Banting House, this exhibit offers extra incentive to do so. You may be inspired to leave a note of thanks for Fred.